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National Situation Update: Friday, December 19, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
Snow showers are forecast to continue over the Pacific Northwest with heavier snow from Montana to the Sierra and lighter snow in the Colorado Rockies.  High Wind Warnings are in effect for portions of south central California and northeast Colorado for wind gusts up to 75 mph.  Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for several states in the region for heavy snowfall and winds gusting to 50 mph.  A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for several states in the region for the potential of significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon.  A High Wind Watch is in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon for a major and potentially destructive east wind event developing from the Cascades into the Foothills and the east Puget Sound lowlands in Washington. Sustained winds could reach 50 to 70 mph with peak gusts of 70 to 90 mph.
Midwest:
A low pressure system in the Plains moving northeastward will bring heavy snow to several Midwestern states today.  Some snow totals could exceed a foot in areas from Milwaukee to northern Chicago.  Icing is possible from Iowa to Indiana.  Winter Storm and Ice Storm Warnings are in effect for portions of the region for significant ice and snow accumulations accompanied by strong winds.  A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for most of North Dakota and Minnesota for heavy snow, wind chills to 50 below and strong winds.  A Blizzard Watch is in effect for northeastern South Dakota for heavy snow and northwest winds of 25 to 40 mph.
South:
Portions of the South will see fog in the morning and humid conditions in the afternoon.  The Tennessee Valley may see some showers.  Flood Warnings remain in effect for several rivers in the South.
Fog Advisories have been issued for several states in the region for visibilities of less than a quarter mile.
Northeast:
The same storm affecting the Midwest will move into the region today bringing heavy snow across southern New York, northern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey.  Snow accumulations in excess of one foot are possible.  Icing will occur from north of Pittsburgh to near Allentown and across central New Jersey while southern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey will see rain.  Winter Storm Warnings have been issued for portions of the Northeast for heavy snow. (NOAA, National Weather Service and Various Media Sources)

Northeast Winter Storm Update

Power restoration and debris clearance remain the key priorities. States report no shortfalls or problems in sheltering individuals who have been displaced by the outages.  There are no unmet needs or immediate requirements.

New Hampshire

  • State EOC activated at Level IV (High Intensity Event); Senior State Advisor (SSA) at SEOC
  • Fatalities: 1
  • Customers without power: 49,495 (DOE)
  • Warming Centers: 7 / Occupants: 315 (Region I)
  • Shelters: 26 / Occupants: 515  (R1 SITREP)
  • ERT-A continues to support State EOC in Concord
  • Six segments of State Roads and 83 segments of local roads remain closed

Massachusetts

  • State EOC activated at Level II (Additional Staff Agencies); Senior State Advisor (SSA) at SEOC
  • Customers without power: 26,576  (DOE)
  • Shelters: 18 / Occupants: 490 (R1 SITREP)
  • Warming Centers: 11 / Occupants: 638Region I)

Maine

  • State EOC has returned to Level I (Normal Operations); Senior State Advisor (SSA) at SEOC
  • Injuries: 2
  • Customers without power: 0  (R1 SITREP)
  • Shelters: 0 / Occupants: 0

Vermont

  • State EOC activated at Level I (Normal Operations)
  • Customers without power: 144
  • Warming Centers: 1 / Occupants: 0 (Region I)
  • No shelters open
  • No Federal assistance anticipated

New York

  • NY SEOC not active
  • Fatalities: 3
  • Customers without  power: 1,109  (DOE)
  • Shelters: 5 / Occupants: 10 (ESF 6)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Western Pacific:
No activity affecting United States territories.  (NOAA, HPC,  National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

A 5.2M earthquake occurred in the Dominican Republic on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. EST, approx. 200 miles NW of San Juan, Puerto Rico at a depth of 66.1 miles. The magnitude is such that a tsunami will not be generated.  (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The President has signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3299-EM for the State of New York for Severe Winter Storm occurring December 11, 2008 and continuing.  The emergency declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for 16 counties.  (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:30:43 EDT